IdentificationThis relatively small anemone reaches 5 cm in diameter and 10 cm tall, though most individuals are smaller. It is fairly stout, with a large base (pedal disc) that narrows to a column often half the size of the base. Tentacles tend to be thicker and blunt-ended. Colour varies, and may be pink, orange, green, brown, or reddish. The base and lower part of the column are marked with thin light and dark lines, giving it a striped appearance, and the base may be blue-hued.

Habitat & RangeThe proliferating anemone is found in rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal areas in protected areas like bays, as well as in more exposed outer coasts. It attaches to rocks, algae (especially coralline algae), and eelgrass. Its range extends from southern Alaska to southern California.

Similar SpeciesEpiactis lisbethae, also called both 'brooding anemone' and 'proliferating anemone', has a very similar appearance. The main distinguishing characteristic of E. lisbethae appears to be continuation of the the thin white and dark lines along the length of the column; this may be more difficult to see when the tentacles are retracted. Click here for a more detailed comparision. Four Epiactis species are found on the BC coast, and E. prolifera is the most common. Click here to read about the other similar Epiactis species.

Intriguing InfoThis species broods its young on the outer surface of its body column. Read more about this process here. Proliferating anemones start life as females, and then transition to hermaphrodites. Females can undergo parthenogenesis to produce female offspring without fertilization.

Proliferating anemones can move a little bit, but only at speeds of three or four inches per hour. Sometimes they will attach to hermit or decorator crabs and will form a temporary mutualistic association: the crab gets extra protection from the anemone, while the anemone gains mobility as well as stray food when the crab feeds. Leather stars prey on proliferating anemones.